Update: Egypt’s New “Pharaoh”

November 28, 2012

So far we have seen an uprising which caused a revolt. This revolt led to the overthrow of previous egyptian ruler Hosini Mubarak. Because of this overthrow a power vacuum was created which led to the now elected president Mohammed Morsi.

What is the latest as of 11/27/2012?

Egypt’s New “Pharaoh”

Mohammed Morsi, the Egyptian president, was accused of appointing himself as “Egypt’s new pharaoh” after he gave himself sweeping powers to oversee the country’s political transition in the wake of his success in negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza.

Mr Morsi declared unilaterally that until a new constitution is decreed all presidential decisions would be immune from legal challenge.

“The president can issue any decision or measure to protect the revolution,” said his statement, read out on television by his personal spokesman, Yasser Ali.

“The constitutional declarations, decisions and laws issued by the president are final and not subject to appeal.”

The announcement caused outrage. Mohammed ElBaradei, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency who returned to Egyptito become a leader of the liberal opposition, accused Mr Morsi of declaring himself a “new pharaoh”.

“Morsi today usurped all state powers and appointed himself Egypt’s new pharaoh,” Mr ElBaradei said on Twitter. “A major blow to the revolution that could have dire consequences.”

Egyptians Stage Massive Anti-Morsi Rally

Tens of thousands of people are staging a protest in the Egyptian capital against President Mohamed Morsi, who last week granted himself sweeping new powers.
“The people want the regime to fall,” the crowds chanted.

Protesters and riot police clashed in Cairo on Tuesday near Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak nearly two years ago.

Demonstrators are accusing President Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood of betraying last year’s revolution [AFP]

Lawyers left their syndicate chanting, “The people want the downfall of the regime,” – the signature chant of the protests that toppled Mubarak in February, 2011.